Fighter

Part one

First punch. Second punch, third punch. I have allowed him to come too close and get trough my defence like rookie. But there was something even more wrong about his punches... My attempt to cover my face with fists and gain back my balance to attack or avoid failed, like my own body has decided we have already lost this fight.

No. Not my body itself. Something did help this failure. My own nerve system failed me. It can mean only few things but there was no time to think further. Fourth punch came from below my yaw and for a moment I flew in the air like weightless, before the weight called in form of gravity, and I fell on the concrete ground with heavy thud and alerts in my vision field.

SYSTEM OVERHEATED... NERVE SYSTEM OUT OF CONTROL... UNKNOWN TOXINS IN THE SYSTEM...

These words were repeating in my head like unwanted buzz. I have been paralysed and couldn't avoid another kick in my ribs and stomach before blacking out. My frame wasn't able block all the noise around me for another few seconds and the darkness was filled with chaotic screams and gunfire...

"This one is tough fucker Lena, but the bids are high and if you kick his ass, your rewards will be better this month. Think of it before telling me no" Gerdan gave me his usual half bored and half grumpy look. Clearly telling me to not decline this match. Like the one before. And before... like all of them.

"Tough fucker huh?" I ask with voice telling him I hesitate. Little game between us. Allowing me not to shit myself from this guy who is sitting in my flat and acting like we are best friends and even better business partners. By the way, this flat belongs to him. As much as I do. And he never forgets to remind me this by his arrivals at any day or night hours.

"Don't play with me Lena, I am not asking you. Tonight, at Bull arena. I will leave you Djasun here to make sure you don't get lost" he grunts and stand from my couch, fixing his fit tailored suit. "Tonight girl. Arena and fame, or pavement and sleepless nights. You always have a choice."

With these words he passes by me and pat my shoulder with his almost paw like hand. Leaving the usual scent of beast mixed with expensive perfumes in my flat as the door lock behind him with quiet click.

"So that's it, don't have to worry about my fun for tonight" I mumble for myself and go to make the coffee I was heading for before noticing him in my living room. Even when occupied, my sense can notice far more with all enhances and updates. Hearing quiet click of the opening door and closing them again as someone is trying to be quiet.

"I can hear you, black dog" I grunt, not even bothering to turn around. "Are you supposed to spy on me?"

"Not really. Making sure you do what he wants cyborg."

I frown and turn around, coffee maker hissing in his process. "You want to piss me off straight in the morning? If you want to keep your pretty face, don't call me cyborg" groan and look at the guy who is supposed to watch over me today. Djasun. Don't remember his name from sooner.

"I am far more important than you, black dog. Be sure kicking your ass would pass easily" give him sweet venomous smile.

"I am the one with gun girl. And just because you are expensive gladiator doesn't mean I will dance as you whistle, cyborg" he says with taunt and take seat on my couch. Getting comfy.

"Like master, like dog" I say loud enough for him to hear it and with mug of coffee in hand slam the door behind myself. Need to make sure everything works well for tonight fight.

Djasun was looking around the place with curiosity and determination to remember it well. Also, with amazement. This flat was something a well-paid investor could afford. Or a politician. He wouldn't search assassin in here. Everything was spacious and with fake lights creating the illusion of sunny morning despite the fog and rain outside the windows. Separated rooms, not one unit serving as bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom in one. No. This was luxury he could never afford from his salary. How ironical.

Despite the softness and comfort of sofa he was sitting on, he kept his vigilance. Listening carefully to any possible move the cyborg woman made. Quiet clicking and sound of machines was coming from the room the woman has disappeared in. Here and there some curses and again the machines.

Djasun stood up and made little walk around, observing the objects and equipment. Everything could serve him in next few days but now was too soon to be careless. Passing on the shield of patience he sat back down and kept eyes on the door.

It took her maybe two hours before she came out again, ignoring him. The door was bit open, and he saw what is inside. Laboratory with surgery machines and bots.

"Repairing yourself for tonight match cyborg?" he asked to provoke her and maybe learn more. Need to know what she is capable of before anything else.

"Not your business dog. You make sure to not pee on the couch" she replied while making herself another much of coffee.

If he didn't know she was a cyborg, he wouldn't notice it for first sight. Her implants and prosthetics were well made and covered in biosynthetically made skin. Making her look like a human. Any snob daughter of politician who has nothing to do. But this was just outside. Well sewed lie.

Under the fake skin was hiding forty two percent of cyborg and killing machine.

"You are not funny at all girl" he shrugs and leave her flat.

"Come on... I don't have whole day" Djasun grunt and try to dial the number again. Even the umbrella can't protect him from the rain and humidity. The quiet beeps are repeating few times.

Entrance to these apartments is almost empty despite all the people in main street. Nobody passing in or out. None of these people could afford live in such place.

"We are not selling pizza" the voice in his communicator says. "I am not about buy pizza, prefer sushi" Djasun answer and light himself a cigarette. "We can give you this" the voice says with different tone. "What is the location and time?"

"Tonight, midnight. Golden dragon basement." Djasun says as quietly as possible and look around.

"Waiting your signal." The voice confirms and hang up.

You could never tell difference between day and night in the lowest levels of Nurhum city. The lowest were living in the shadow of the rich and luckier ones. The fog and rain were constant and almost never ending, all the steam was creating clouds in the streets, keeping them in darkness and neon lights that were not even trying to replace the daylight.

I was trusting only my inner clock, currently showing me 11 pm. In little hour I will be kicking ass of some big gladiator who is clear leader of the whole Pit matches. But now making sure to not loose back of Gerdan's guard dog. My senses bit overwhelmed in the mess of streets. Day or night, it's always the same noise and crowds.

Djasun move his arm to show me we make turn in the left. Walking few steps in front of me, we look like two strangers just having same way. No public transport, no cameras, and no recognition. These are rules on the surface. The less people know, the less can sniff. And the right sponsors and spectators always know where and how will be the next Pit fight of gladiators.

This time we walk longer than usually but when I start to be impatient, he closes his fist and stop in front of back door of some club. Name Golden Dragon sprayed of the door as somebody didn't bother make it as pretty as the entrance sign surely is.

After showing little card to the man who opened, we can pass in. Walking trough dark corridor, around kitchen until stairs heading down. The door well isolated, but my frame can hear the noise hidden behind them. I lower my sound sensors before entering to keep my head sane.

"Ready kitten?" Gerdan ask when entering little room serving for the gladiators to do whatever they need before fight. He is looking as good as always in his dark blue suit. Good for a hybrid of human and wolf.

"Ready. My reward?" I ask with raised eyebrows. Need to know he doesn't trick me as last time.

"Here. Double" he smiles with his half feline fangs and show me two little phosphoric pills. Fae dust. I frown and nod. "Good. I will fight well with good motivation" grunt and focus back on checking all my systems and prosthetics to be sure I won't get kicked in the ass.

"Ten minutes kitten" he says and the door close behind him.

I didn't need this much to check everything, but still took my time. Prosthetic forearms and left leg. Inner systems and frame. Everything was in the best condition possible.

And yet the fucker managed to put me down.